Hydraulic motor



HYDRAULIC MOTOR Filed June 1s, 1957 4 sheets-sheet 1 cn (17 @w E l ATTORNEY june 27, 1939." G, vW, WgLKlN zg HYDRAUL'IC MOTGR Filed Jun@ la,` '1937 @shams-sheet 2 ATTORNEY June 27,' 1939.

G; w. wlLKlN HYDRAULIC MOTOR Filed June 18, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY Patented June 27, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

HYDRAULIC Mo'ron f George W. Wilkin, Spokane, Wash.

Application June1's,19s7, serial No. 148,991

3 Claims.

'This invention relates to improvements in hydraulic motors.

One object of the invention is to .provide 'a hydraulic gear type motor for driving machinery,

machine elements, or the wheels of automobiles or other power vehicles, whichis highly flexible in service for driving actions at all speeds within a predetermined speed range, and whichwill deliver a maximum amount of power from the driving fluid at any and all speeds.

Another object of the invention is to provide a reversible gear type motor which is simple of construction, reliable and eihcient in action, durable and adapted to be manufactured and sold l5 at a comparatively low cost, and which may be easily and quickly controlled in operation to accelerate or decelerate the speed ofthe driven element, to brake it for speed control as required or to lock it against rotation.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of the features o f construction, combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter fully described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, 'in

25. whichz- A f Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through one form of hydraulic motor embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a front end elevation thereof with parts broken away and in section. l

Fig. 3 isa cross-section on .line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are cross-sections on the lines 11-4, 5-5 and 6 6 of Figs. 1 and 8. Fig. 7 is a rear end elevation of the motor.

I Fig. 8 is a plan view ofthe same.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the controlling valve. Fig. 10 is a longitudinal section of the same. Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of the motor as constructed for driving an automobile wheely or the like.

Fig. l2 is a front View of the motor shown in Fig. 11 with parts removed.

Fig. 13 is a'rear end elevation of the motor shown in Fig. 11` Fig. 14 is a plan View of the same.

Fig. 15 is a cross-section on line Iii-I5 of Fig. 14.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1 to 10, inclusive, the motor I as designed for general purposes comprises a casing 2 having an enlarged gear-chamber portion 3 and formed to provide at the rearward side of said gear-chambera reduced annular valvechamber 4. The gear-chamber 3 is normally open at its forward side for application and removal Vof parts and is closed at said side in service by a detachable combined bearing and cover plate 5. The interior of the gear-chamber 3 is provided with portions suitably formed to receive a series of threedriving gears comprising a central gear-member 6 and 5 gear-members l and B disposed at diametrically opposite sides thereof, These gear-members are provided withfpropeiling teeth 1a and 8a. which are in intermeshing engagement with the teeth 6a of gear member t for the transfer of power 10 from thegear-members 'I and to the gear member 6. 'I'he gear member 6 isfkeyed to a central shaft 9 which is provided-at its outer end with an outwardly projecting spindle portion I0 threaded or otherwise constructed at II for 15 mounting a pulley or other power transmitting element (not shown) thereon. 'I'he shaft is journaled in anti-friction bearings I2Vand I 3 of ball or roller type disposed in bearing chambers in the body of the casing and in the cover plate 5, re- 20 spectively. The chamber for the bearing I3 isA normally open at its outer side and is closed in service by a detachable closure I4. Between its" body and spindle portions the shaft is provided with an annular flange I5 which-serves to hold 25 the shaft from longitudinal displacement and which is disposed in a packing chamber or recess formed in the cover-plate on the inner side of the bearing I3, which chamber or recess contains aI sealing packing I6 preferably 'of suitable 30 type to prevent undue passage of lubricant to th'e bearing I3 from gear chamber 3 while permitting passage of suihcient lubricant to said bearing I3 to lubricate the same.

'Ihe gears l and 8 are mounted for rotation 35 upon stationary shafts 'l' and 8 itted in the casing body and cover plate andare designed for free rotation in either of their directions of revolution to transmit power to the central gear 6 in 'a uniform manner to drive the shaft 9 to effect 40 its rotation in either a clockwise' or a counterclockwise direction. The portions of the chamber 3 in which' the gears rotate are provided with suitably curved wall portions I1 with which the peripheries of -the teeth of the gears contact dur- 45 ing the non-meshing portions of their orbits of rotation, the contact engagement being sulciently close to prevent undue leakage of the power fluid past the teeth so that an eifective driving action will be secured. 'The central gear 6 is 50 preferably provided with a greater number of teeth than the teeth of thek gears ,'I and 8 in order to increase its bearing contact `with the curved portions Il of the casing walls which its teeth engage, to accurately center said gear in its rotation as well as to prevent leakage of the iuid past the teeth of this gear, so that the propulsive force of the uid will be concentrated and directed against the teeth of the gears 1 and 8.

In the present instance each gear 1 and 8 is provided with six teeth, while the gear 6 is provided with two additional teeth or eight teeth in all, but the number of working teeth on the gears may be varied as desired.

The casing 2 is provided with an upper pair of ports I8 and I8' for cooperation with the gear 1 and a lower pair of ports I8 and I9 for cooperation with the gear 8, the ports of each pair being adapted to serve alternately as intake and exhaust ports. These ports also communicate with the valve chamber 4 for cooperation with an oscillatory control valve 2li therein. This valve 20 comprises a tubular body portion 2|l carrying spaced disks or heads 2Ia, 2lb, 2Ic, and a cylindrical shell portion 22 extending between the heads 2Ia and 2lb and surrounding the forward part of the tubular portion 2I and disposed in spaced relation thereto and concentric relation therewith. 'Ihe bore of the tubular body portion 2| provides a longitudinally extending intake passage 23, and that part of the body portion 2l which connects the heads 2lb and 2Ic provides with the wall of the valve casing or chamber 4 an annular exhaust passage 24. The space between the forward part of the tubular body portion 2| and the shell portion 22 is partitioned to provide an annular series of ports 25, 25 and 26, 26 for cooperation with the ports I8, I8' and I9, I9', the ports 25 and 25 being radially ,arranged and communicating directly with the intake passage 23, and the ports I9 and I9' being separated from the ports 25, 25' and in communication through channels opening through the head 2lb with the exhaust passage 24. The intake and exhaust passages 23 and 24 cooperate with intake ports 23' and 24 suitably formed in and connected with the' casing 4. The head 2Ic is disposed at ythe rear end of the tubular body portion 2I and has connected therewith a disk or plate21 carrying an annular series of spaced arms 28 connected at their outer or rear 'ends by a disk or head 29, said parts 21, 28 and 29 forming an adjusting frame or spider connected with the valve, the spaces between the arms of which are in communication with the rear end of the valve chamber 4 and form passages for the flow of motive fluid to the intake passage 23'. The head 2Ia is formed with a central opening 2id receiving a bearing projection 2Ic on the wall at the closed side ofthe casing whereby the valve is accurately centered for easy rotation. A head 30 closes the rear end of the valve chamber 4 and has a stuffing box 3l through which passes a shaft 32 connected with the disk or head 29 whereby rotary movements may be imparted to the valve 20 to adjust the same for controlling operations. The means for adjusting the valve may consist of a lever handle 33 or other suitable means applied to the outer end of the shaft 32.

By means of this handle the valve 20 may be adjusted to a cut o position in which its ports are out of register with the ports I8, I9 and I8',.

I9. to stop the operation of the motor and to lock the gears in whatever position they may be at the time. The valve 20 may also be adjusted A to connect the ports 25 and 25 with the ports IB and I9' for supplying fluid to drive the gears 1 and. 8 in 'a clockwise direction, while the ports 26 and 26' simultaneously communicate with the ports I8 and I9 for the discharge and return of amacisa the fluid to the source of supply. The valve may be turned from this position to a reverse position in which the valve ports 25 and 25' communicate with the ports I8' and I9 and the valves 26 and 26 communicate with the ports` I8 and I9 for reversing the direction of flow of the fluid for driving the gears 1 and 8 in a counter-clockwise direction. In either working position ofthe valve the valve ports may be adjusted either to completely or partially communicate with the casingV ports for supplying a maximum' quantity of fluid v to the motor gears to drive the same at maximum speed or to regulate the amount or volume of fluid supplied thereto to drive .the gears at any speed between maximum and minimum. Also the valve may be adjusted in either of its working positions to cut down the flow of fluid or to throttle its flow to exert a greater or less braking action on the gears to reduce their speed to any extent desired. By completely closing the valve any amount of the pressure fluid which may be contained in the motor chamber 'will be maintained therein, whereby the gears will be locked from rotation to prevent movement of the drive shaft and the machinery or machine element driven thereby. 'Ihe valve structure disclosed thus provides a means whereby the motor may be driven at any speed and reversed in action or braked to any degree or locked against movement. It -wll accordingly be seen that the drive shaft and the machine element or either part driven thereby may be driven with a high degree of flexibility as to speedvariation and controlled to increase or reduce its speed as occasion requires or to lock it entirely against motion. The motor as thus constructed is adapted `for driving any type of machine element or kind or machinery directly mounted thereon or any suitable gear connection therewith so that the working action of the driven element or machine may be governed to a very high degree.

In Figs. 11 to 15, inclusive, I have shown the embodiment of the invention in amotor Ia for driving the wheel of an automobile or like vehicle, and especially designed for that purpose. This motor Ia, one of which is used in connection with each wheel to be driven, may be of the same general structure as that previously described except that the cover'` plate 5 of the motor casing is provided with a bearing extension 34 through which the drive shaft 9' projects. This lextension 34 forms a support for bearings 35 on which rotate the wheel carrying hub 36, having a flange 31 for the attachment of the vehicle wheel thereto. The outer end of the hub 36 is closed by a centrally apertured driver-plate 38 the central opening of which receives the outer end of the shaft 9' which is suitably coupled thereto for a driving action, the coupling connection shown in the present linstance comprising gear teeth-like keys 39 engaging key-seats or recesses in the driver-plate bywhich the motion of the shaftis transmitted to the hub to drive bearing members. `'I'he operation of this motor will be readily understood from the previous de- Cil4 scription with respect to the operation of the motor I'. In the use of the motor la as a wheel drive for an automobile, it will be understood that a motor will be provided for driving each wheel, and that by the use of such motors either a two-wheel drive ora four-Wheel drive may be provided. The valves of these motors may in practice be controlled by a lever or other control means 33 coupled to a connection 42 arranged to be conveniently operated by the driver so that the supply of fluid from the source to the motors may be controlled to govern the driving and braking actions as desired.

. From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings, the construction and mode of operation of my improved hydraulic gear motor will be readily understood without a further and extended description, and it will be seen that a simple, reliable and efficient construction of motor of this type is provided whereby a maximum amount of power may be transmitted at any and all speeds and arexible driving action,

under complete control of the driver or operator obtained in a simple and convenient manner. While the vconstruction disclosed ispreferred it will, of course, be understood that changes in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts may be made Within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit or sacricing any of the advantages of the invention.

What I claim is:

l. A gear type hydraulic motor comprising a casing normally open at one side and closed at its opposite side, said casing having a central gear chamber and side gear chambers in communicaton with said central chamber, a plate closing the open side of the casing, said plate and the wail of the closedlside ofthe casing being provided with bearing recesses in line with the respective chambers, a valve casing carried by and disposed in axial alinement with said wall, the wall having two sets of intake and discharge ports connecting the inner end of the valve chambei with said gear chambers and said valve chamber having at its outer end an intake port and at a pointv intermediate of its length an exhaust port, intermeshing central and side .gears in the gear chamber, shafts carrying anti-friction bearing members in the recesses in line with the central gear chamber, shafts carrying said gears and journaled in the bearing recesses in the plate and wall of theclosedside of the casing, the recess formedV in the plate in line with the central gear chamber being normally .open at its outer side, a detachable closure for said open side of said recess confining the anti-friction bearing member therein inl place, and a rotary valve in gear chamber and side gear rchambers in communication with said central chamber, a plate closing the open side of the casing, said plate and the wall of the closed side of the` casing being provided with bearing recesses'in line with the respective chambers, a valve casing carried by and disposed in axial alinement with said wall, the wall having two sets of intake and discharge ports connecting the inner end of the valve chamber with said gear chambers and said valve chamber having at its outer end an intake port and at a point intermediate of its length an exhaust port, intermeshing central and side gears in the gear chamber, shafts carrying anti-friction bearing members in the recesses in line with the central gear chamber, shafts carrying said gears and journaled'in the bearing recesses in the plate and wall of the closed side of the casing, the recess formed in the plate in line with the central gear chamber being normally open at its outer side, and provided with a packing chamber at its side adjoining the central gear chamber, a flange on the shaft of the central gear occupying the packing chamber and serving to prevent leakage of lubricant between the central gear chamber and said .recess and to hold said shaft from outward axial movement, a detachable closure for said open side of said recess conning the antifriction bearing member therein in place, and a rotary valve in said valve chamber having a longitudinally extending intake passage communicating at its outer end with said intake port in the valve casing and provided at its inner end with branches vfor communication with the inlet ports in the casing and having an exhaust communicating with the exhaust port in the valve casing and provided with branches for communication with the` discharge ports in the casv3. A gear type hydraulic motor comprising a casing normally open at one side and closed by a side wall at its opposite side, said casing having a central gear chamber and side gear chambers in communication therewith, a plate closingthe open side of the casing, `intermeshing central andside gears in the central and side gear chambers, the said wall at the closed side of the casing being formed with two sets of intake and discharge ports communicating with the gear chambers, a cylindrical .fvalve chamber integral with said wall and arranged in axial alinement with the central gear chamber, said Wall being provided with a centering and bearing projection extending into the valve chamber and said valve chamber having at its outer end an intake port and at a point intermediate of its length` an exhaust port, and a rotary valvev in said chamber comprising a cylindrical body having inner, outer and intermediate heads in peripheral bearing contact with the inner surface of the body of the chamber and having a longitudinal intake passage communicating at its outer end With the intake port of the chamber, the said inner head being formed with an opening receiving said centering and bearing projection and said inner and intermediate heads being spaced to form an exhaust passage about the valve, body communicating with the exhaust port in the valve chamber, said valve between said inner and intermediate heads being partitioned to provide radial intake ports and longitudinal exhaust ports communicating respectively with its intake and exhaust'passages and adapted for connecting the same through rotary movements of the valve with said intake and exhaust ports in said wall at the closed side of the casing.

GEORGE W. WILKIN. 

